AN: I know it's seems like too much, but I really felt the need to do a Pirates fan-fiction for TLC. It's going to use several details used in The Pirates of the Caribbean, since it's the reason for my swash-buckling mood. So if you don't care for piracy or plundering, too bad. And I do not have any form of ownership over "The Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, it's plot and/or characters, or those of "The Lunar Chronicles.

Cinder pounded on the glowing red metal to bring it into shape. The hot coals of the nearby fire were blowing around through the air as the winds whipped about the room. Day after day, she went through this. After all, she was the town Blacksmith.

She received little credit for her efforts, since none believed a woman could forge a sword. She even had to run the business under her guardian's last name, Linh. Not that she minded it so much. The old Blacksmith, Gareth Linh, had been very kind to her. He taught her all she knew. He gave her a purpose in this town, to forge the weapons for defense of this town. But his wife, Adri, was a different story. She was a wicked woman that did nothing to support Cinder. If she wanted to eat, Cinder would have to obtain food on her own.

And that is why she worked the Blacksmith shop. To be able to pay for her own food, and to have something to pound the life out of when Adri was being unreasonable.

As Cinder beat the metal against the anvil, she missed the sound of the bell's ring on the door. A cloaked figure entered the room, and she was unable to hear them step up behind her, until-

"Excuse me?"

Cinder dropped the sword she'd been working and her hammer. She swiped her leather gloves off the table and hastily slid them on.

"Do you happen to know where Cinder Linh is?" the voice asked. Cinder turned around to face the one who came in. She took one look at the figure, and knew exactly who it was. A lump the size of her fist caught in her throat.

"Miss?" the man asked. Cinder wanted to answer, but she couldn't speak.

The man before her was the governor's son, Kaito Huang. She'd seen him from afar a few times. But the words of praise that ran through the kingdom about him did not do him justice. His eyes were as gleaming as polished copper, his stance straight as a balanced sword. He was definitely a regal man, and one who was waiting for her to speak.

"I-I'm Cinder," she finally managed. Kaito's eyes widened in disbelief, and a tad of curiosity.

"You're Cinder?"

"Y-yes." Cinder rubbed the back of her neck with her gloved hand. The heat from the coals was burning her skin terribly.

"The Blacksmith?"

She nodded, looking to the sword on the anvil. Kaito took a few steps closer to her and eyed her intently. His expression was emotionless, and frankly, unnerving.

Out of nowhere, he let out a brief chuckle. "I'm sorry. You're just not what I expected." Cinder dawned a relieved grin and turned back to her sword. The hammer had fallen on the ground, and she bent over to retrieve it.

"I was wondering," he began. "If you would be able to mend this sword." When Cinder rose, she saw him lifting part of his cloak, revealing a sheath she could only guess had the sword inside. He drew out the weapon slowly, and out came an old relic.

The held the sword out to her, and she took it gently. The handle was worn, but clearly displayed the gorgeous work of entwining metals as its design. The blade itself was scratched and dented, probably from years of use. It was double-edged, and if not for the damage and light rust, it could have shimmered in the light.

"Who's sword is this?" she mindlessly asked.

"It was may father's, before he became Governor," he grinned. "It is a family heirloom, and I wish to give it to him again once it is repaired."

Cinder thought it an excellent gift for a former soldier. And if his old weapon was restored, it would only make it more monumental. She balanced the blade on her finger just before the handle. Perfectly balanced as it were. Even in this rusted and damaged shape. She launched and spun the blade in the air, catching it by the sword lying flat in her hands.

Making the young man before her jump back in alarm. She held out on hand, asking, "The sheath?"

"Oh .. yes, of course." Blushing, he took the sheath off his belt and gave it to her. "Can you have it repaired by the tomorrow?"

What an awful fast order. "May I inquire as to why?"

Kaito shifted on his feet, avoiding her gaze by looking around the room. "My father's birthday celebration is tomorrow. I wish to give this sword to him then. Can you finish it by then?"

Cinder sheathed the blade and placed it on her work bench. "Since you are a high ranking member of this town, I can't see why not."

He held up his hands and protested, "I don't want you to overwork yourself just because I'm the governor's son. If you can't I'd be perfectly fine with-"

Cinder raised her hand to interrupt. "It would be an honor to furnish the sword for the governor's birthday. And I will have it done by tomorrow. I can even bring it to your estate in the morning."

The young man sighed in relief. "Thank you. You will be well compensated for your troubles."

Grinning, she turned back to the sword and called over her shoulder, "I better get started. The sooner you go back you preparing for your father's event, the sooner I can get started on this sword."

For a moment, he simply stood there and waited. She slid the sword beneath the hot coals and saw him, rocking back on his heels and staring off into space. "Go!" she laughed.

His eyes popped out of his head before getting the message. "Oh, yes. I'll leave you to it then." Thankfully, he found his way out the door and closed it behind him.

I guess I better start mending this sword, Cinder reasoned. Pulling the blade from the flames, sparks flew from the rocks the metal brushed against. Placing it on the anvil, she held her hammer aloft in her other hand and mercilessly pounded the sword into better shape.

And she continued to do this ... all night long.

.................

As Cinder walked to the Huang's estate, she carried the long, wooden box in which the sword layed. Her eyelids hung low as she walked, but that didn't matter. She'd restored the blade to its former glory in less than a day. Surely, it was a new record for her establishment. Well, more for her than the place she worked.

After walking for a solid half hour, she came to stand at the steps of the grand house of Governor Rikan Huang. Smiling, she knocked on the door three times and waited. The mansion was larger that her entire block and more white that any silk she'd ever seen. The garden was well kept with flowers that had more colors than a rainbow. Beauty and elegance radiated from the yard no matter where you looked. How suffocating, she thought.

Cinder was always one for the rough and dirty, which helped when you were a blacksmith. What with all of the grim and coals smearing across your face. How someone could live in a place so perfect and manicured alluded her.

"Who are you ... miss?" the man who opened the door asked.

Straightening herself, she answered, "I am Cinder Linh. I'm here to deliver and order to Master Kaito Huang. A gift for his father."

Nodding, the man opened the door and let her in. Entering the gigantic mansion was like walking into the doors of a palace. One that Cinder just wanted to leave and never come back to. Because she hated the idea of living the life of a celebrity.

"Master Huang will come shortly to inspect the sword," the man told her. He left and trekked up a flight of stairs to an open hallway above her. Yeah ... this place was a little too fancy for her taste.

At one point, Cinder spotted a cluster of candelabras on the wall above a bucket for umbrellas and canes. To see the minuscule details of one of them, she grasped it between her fingers. Not knowing how weak its bond to the wall was, she accidentally yanked it off the wall.

BLUACH!!!!

The sound echoed through the house and Cinder prayed that no one would know it was her. Footsteps emulated from the hall behind her. To hide her mistake, she quickly dropped the candle into the the tall bucket at her side. She faced the sound and tried desperately to appears as though she'd done nothing wrong.

Kaito came into her view next to the man who greeted her at the door. The young man's smile grew from ear to ear once he saw her. "Cinder," he said, almost ... breathless? He scanned her up and down and saw that she was carrying the sword container he left at her shop. "You finished it?"

She gulped. Why was her throat beginning to feel like it was closing from the inside. She wasn't trying to swallow hot coals, but that how it felt. "Of course, Master Huang. You asked me to."

He rubbed the back of his neck and added, "Please, Cinder. Call me Kai."

For a moment, she had to stare at the ground to regain some form of composure. Yes, he was about her age, but he was the governor's son for star's sake! "I'll have to decline that offer, Master Huang," she replied as politely as possible.

To her dismay, he seemed a bit hurt. "See, young master. At least the girl has a sense of propriety," the man – who was probably his adviser of butler – remarked.

Choking on silence, Cinder made her way to a nearby table and layed down the box. She removed the lid and carefully took the sword out. It shined like a ray from heaven. And she had to say, it was one of her best works yet.

A sharp breath echoed from Kaito's lips. He was quick to get closer to her work. At the moment, she was fairly glad that she'd never learned to blush. He was so close to her and staring so intently.

"It's ... It's better than when it was first made," he grinned. She handed him the sword gently and in a way he would not get cut by the blade. He took it eagerly and gazed upon its shimmering blade. Then, he looked at her with the same wistfulness in his eyes. "It's beautiful."

Cinder bowed her head and desperately tried to keep her gladness from showing too terribly. "It's my job, Master Huang."

The adviser humphed in approval to her words and added, "We must hurry if we are going to catch the carriage to the celebration."

Kaito nodded, and kept staring directly at Cinder. "Come with us," he smiled.

Cinder and the adviser nearly choked on their own throats. "M-master Huang?" they both inquired.

"As a token of my gratitude for completing this task so quickly and marvelously. I formally invite you to my father's birthday celebration. Will you accept?" he questioned, still holding the sword in his hands. And oh stars, the poor boy was blushing ever so badly.

"Master Huang, I hardly think that this is appropriate-"

"Torin, I think Cinder as earned this," Kai interrupted.

Quick to come up with an excuse, Cinder replied, "Actually, Sir. I have many more orders to fill ... and have little time. I'll have to decline your offer, Master Huang."

"Cinder, you can just call me-"

"We have to go, Master Huang!" Torin demanded.

Kai sighed glumly and placed the sword back in its case. Torin carried the case for him and directed him to the front door. Though, he lagged back and told Cinder, "Thank you for repairing the sword in such a short amount of time. Not of the other blacksmiths in town said they would be able to restore it to its former glory. And ... thank you. This event is very important for the reputation of the Huang family. And other delegates and officers seeing a blacksmith there could-"

"Damage the reputation of the Huang family. I completely understand. But I wasn't lying when I said I had more to do," Cinder explained. "Please, just make sure he doesn't cut himself on the blade."

"Of course, Miss Linh," Torin agreed as he left. A minute after he was out the door, she left the house as well. Today had already begun as an odd day. She couldn't figure how it could get much weirder.

AN: Hi guys! It's my one year anniversary and I chose to make a TLC/ Pirates of the Caribbean crossover rather than celebrate with my real life friends. Cause that's just me ..... Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and tell me if you liked it and whether I should continue it or not. BYE!!!